Magnitude 3.5 Earthquake Shakes Gujarat’s Kutch Ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy

Kutch: An earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale struck Gujarat’s Kutch district on Wednesday. The epicentre of the quake was located 5 kilometres West-Southwest of Bhachau, according to the Institute of Seismological Research in Gandhinagar. This earthquake occurred just a day before the anticipated landfall of Cyclone Biparjoy in Kutch on Thursday.

In light of the approaching very severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the Saurashtra, Dwarka, and Kutch coasts in Gujarat. The cyclone is expected to cause significant damage, and several states have been issued heavy rainfall warnings.

To ensure the safety of coastal residents, around 50,000 people living in eight districts of Gujarat have been evacuated as the cyclone moves towards the Kutch coast. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed eighteen teams to Gujarat for relief and rescue operations. Specifically, four teams are assigned to the Kutch district, three each to Rajkot and Devbhumi Dwarka, and two to Jamnagar. Additionally, one team each is stationed in Porbandar, Junagarh, Gir Somnath, Morbi, Valsad, and Gandhinagar.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held discussions with the three service chiefs and assessed the preparedness of the Armed Forces in response to the cyclone. The Armed Forces stand ready to provide all possible assistance to address any potential contingencies arising from the cyclone.